MLB reverses on instant replay, will allow umps to check video on home runs starting Thursday

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Major League Baseball reversed its long-standing opposition to instant replay and will allow umpires to check video on home run calls in series that start Thursday.

The start date comes nearly 10 months after general managers voted 25-5 to use the technology, and following MLB agreements with the unions for umpires and for players.

"I believe that the extraordinary technology that we now have merits the use of instant replay on a very limited basis," commissioner Bud Selig said. "The system we have in place will ensure that the proper call is made on home run balls and will not cause a significant delay to the game."

Three series are scheduled to start Thursday, with Philadelphia at the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota at Oakland and Texas at the Los Angeles Angels. For other games, replays will be available to umpires starting Friday.

Yeah, I really don’t like the precedent that this is setting. Is this not how complete replay of everything begins?
“Just for close calls on the foul poll/goal line” turns into “We have to get every call right for the integrity of the game.”
I don’t like replay at all, it makes the refs/umps sloppy.